heartofdakota.com

Hello
I've already posted in the Bigger Hearts section, but haven't had a response, so I thought I would try the main board......I will be starting to home schooling this fall with a 6th grader, 4th grader, 2nd grader and a 1st grader. We have been attending a private Christian school for many years, but feel this coming year we should home school the children. Do you think that Bigger Hearts with the extension package would be a good fit for my 4 different ages/levels? I want to be able to teach them all the same topics as much as possible. I know that they will have different math levels (probably Singapore) and reading/language arts. I'd love to hear your thoughts regarding how to home school such a spread of ages/grades using Heart of Dakota. Thanks!

I can't answer your question about Bigger as my kids aren't there yet...but I just wanted to say "Welcome!" All posts usually begin on this board (Main Board) which is why you haven't had a response on the Bigger board - it took me a little while to figure it out when I first joined, too. I'm sure others with experience in Bigger will answer your questions soon!

I am also not at that level yet, but have you looked at the placement chart? That would probably help you greatly. If combining all four won't work, maybe you can figure out a way to combine at least the oldest two and youngest two, possibly Preparing for the olders and Beyond for the youngers.

Without knowing anything about your children's abilities, I can honestly say that my son would not be ready for Bigger as a 1st grader. HTH!

Thank you for your answers. I have looked at the placement chart, but honestly, I'm still a bit confused. I am so use to talking about grades (1st, 2nd, etc) vs. ages. My three oldest, started kindergarten when they were almost 6 years old (because their birthdays are in October and December) due to our school's guideline of needing to be 5 years old by Sept. 1st to start kindergarten. My youngest's birthday is Aug. 31, so she was the youngest in her kindergarten class. So, I would still love to hear from someone that Bigger Hearts with the extension package will be a good fit for us with a 1st grader (6 years old), a 2nd grader (almost 8 yrs.), a 4th grader (almost 10 yrs.) and a 6th grader (almost 12 years) for this September. I really wanted to start with American History because we live in NE and have TONS of American history sites at our doorstep and also, by two youngest haven't had any history yet, just social studies in their private school. My plan right now is to use Bigger Hearts,the extension package, the science package, happy cursive, Singapore Math, Drawn into the Heart of Reading.
What do you all thing?

part 2.......after reading some of the other posts on the main board I am beginning to wonder if Bigger Hearts is too young for my kids? I really didn't want to purchase different curriculum for each grade. I want to teach them all the same as much as possible. I know they will all have different math levels and reading levels, but was hoping to do the same history, science, bible, etc., I really want to start with American History. Please let me know what you all think! I need to make some decisions soon so that I can purchase what we need.

I don't think Bigger would be too young for your children. It sounds like it would be perfect for your 2nd and 4th grader. Your oldest is a little bit beyond the age range of the extensions, but it might be possible to beef it up just a bit more if necessary. My biggest concern would be your 6 year old. That's on the young side for Bigger. Does she seem to have the skills shown on the placement chart for Bigger? Hopefully Julie or Carrie can jump in here and give you some advice. Welcome

Welcome! Have patience! Carrie or Julie will respond here for you soon. I can't help you with your question as I only hs one dd , however, this is where you do all your posting. The other areas are where some of these topics are moved and answered at a later date. So continue to post all your questions here first.

Thank you Patty in NC. Thank you for your concern for my 6 year old. I think she will be OK. I am planning on doing Singapore Math with her and I have already purchased Learning Language through Literature for her language arts program (a recommendation from a close friend). She will be with us for the Bigger Hearts lessons, but I'm not expecting she will follow it all and am hoping she'll enjoy the stories and field trips we will take. For me it is my oldest that I'm concerned for. I want him to be challenged and enjoy our new season in life. He has been in school the longest (we've attended a private school since he started kindergarten) and I fear he will have the biggest adjustment. So, I'm hoping that the material we cover will engage him and challenge him. I am prepared that I may need to "beef it up" for him.

Have you considered Preparing for your 4th and 6th dc and Beyond for 1st and 2nd graders? Beyond is a wonderful introduction to American history and very gentle to teach. I haven't done Preparing yet (next year), but have heard nothing but praise for the program. I don't think you will find a program that will span all of your ages. If you read the portion on this site about the author's educational philosophy, you'll see her rationale for writing programs that have a smaller age span. However, the HOD programs are so easy to implement and wonderfully engaging. You will not have trouble using two programs. I use two. Many HOD moms use 2 or 3 programs. Just some thought.
Laura

lmercon wrote:Have you considered Preparing for your 4th and 6th dc and Beyond for 1st and 2nd graders? Beyond is a wonderful introduction to American history and very gentle to teach. I haven't done Preparing yet (next year), but have heard nothing but praise for the program. I don't think you will find a program that will span all of your ages. If you read the portion on this site about the author's educational philosophy, you'll see her rationale for writing programs that have a smaller age span. However, the HOD programs are so easy to implement and wonderfully engaging. You will not have trouble using two programs. I use two. Many HOD moms use 2 or 3 programs. Just some thought.
Laura

Welcome!
I would agree that using 2 programs might be a better fit for your family since their ages are so far apart. I would think a first grader would get left behind with Bigger Hearts and then what about future guides? HOD was written to target certain ages due to the skills that are taught in each guide rather than just the history topic.

Welcome to the HOD Board! You can combine or not combine with HOD, and we try to share different options with you here on the board, so you can choose what fits your needs the best. I am wondering if you could please share a bit about your dc's reading, writing, and math in particular, as that will help us help you better? You can use just the first page of the placement chart as a guide. We have 3 sons, and we've always found the chart to be very accurate in placing them. I can say that I would not go any higher than Bigger Hearts for your 6 yo. Proper placement in any program is pretty important, as a one size fits all mentality usually means it's not a fit for someone. You have quite an age range you are trying to combine here - can you imagine your 2nd, 4th, and 6th grader in the same class in private school or ps? I'm not saying it can't be done, and this isn't an HOD thing, it's just something to consider for any curriculum. But we would love to throw out a bunch of options and have you pick your favorite for your goals - if you can just share a little about each child individually, where each would most likely place, we can share the best way to combine as well as options for not combining, so you are then in the driver's seat to choose the best option for you. I'll check back and know others will too! We like to help each other out here.

In Christ,
Julie

Thank you all for your suggestions and recommendations. I have spent some time with the placement chart, and honestly, I could probably place my children in Beyond, Bigger, Preparing and maybe Creation to Christ. Maybe it is just us, but my children don't fall into every box for one individual program. My youngest (girl) is about to turn 6 yrs., she is reading well for her age, not quite independently yet, but slightly better than an emergent reading -- doing a great job for her age. She has had 2 years of phonics (Writing the Road to Reading) and also Investigations Math program in kindergarten at her school. She is able to make up and write her own simple sentences and copy work without difficulty. My 7 year old (currently finishing 1st grade) is a strong reader and has a wonderful imagination in writing stories. He loves art and is very creative. He is also very strong in math. My 9 year old (currently finishing 3rd grade) is an average reader, reading isn't her go to thing. She reads because I encourage her to, but she wouldn't choose it on her own. She loves to draw and dance. She is excellent in math. My 11 year old (currently finishing 5th grade) is an average to slightly above average student. He adores reading and loves reading fiction stories. He loves history and enjoys science as well. Didn't really enjoy biology this year, though. He also does really well in math and computer.

Since this is our first year with homeschooling, I was hoping to do more "unit study" type approach without using specific unit studies curriculum (most that I've looked at were too involved for my part with prep. work). That is what appealed to me about HOD that I could potentially "teach" the same unit to everyone while having different expectations for their individuality. If you don't think that is using HOD the way it was designed, then I'll have to do some more research and think and pray more about what curriculum to use. I'm prepared to adjust things for both the youngest and the oldest. I truly believe that they will love learning the same things as each other and would think it would make it hard for us to be doing to different history units, science. As I have said before, I know that they will all be doing different math levels, reading/language arts and writing levels.

I'm sorry this got so long. Just trying to explain more about us and my thoughts, concerns, and questions. I truly appreciate all of your insights as you have done this before. Thanks again!

Thanks for sharing about each of your dc here. I think BHFHG would work best for combining everyone, with extensions for your oldest. It may be a stretch for your youngest, but you can modify it as needed. If you were going to do 2 programs, I'd place the 6 and 7 yo's in Beyond. You could also place your 9 yo in Beyond, giving her some time to grow in her reading with DITHOR, in which case your 11 yo could do CTC provided he does fairly well with writing, grammar, and following directions independently, or else he could do PHFHG. Or, you could have your 9 and 11 yo in PHFHG, with extensions for your 11 yo (with the younger 2 in Beyond). HOD has wonderful programs, and each year we have used it we have enjoyed it immensely. HTH as you pray about this decision!

In Christ,
Julie

Hi Sheryl!

I wanted to pop in here and welcome you, too! I had a reply almost typed up last night and "POOF" it was gone. I'm sure I hit some key that made it decide to leave...but I was too tired to retype. Anyway, I think it was really helpful for you to share more about your kids based on what's on the placement chart as that gives us all a little common ground to help you. It's helpful to know you're desires for your family this year, too. It does sounds like Bigger is your best bet if you're wanting everyone together for the year. And even though it may be more work for you to make that happen by adjusting for the oldest & youngest, that's the beauty of homeschooling. You can do that if you want to!! (And I would definitely think starting with a HOD guide would make putting something together easier for ME! ) And the great thing is that if next year you think it would be better to split into 2 groups, you can go for it then!

Praying for you as you make a decision! I know that it takes a lot of thought - but I sure think it's fun, too.
Kathleen

I just wanted to add something. It might seem like it's easier to combine all of them in one teacher's manual, but you might find that it's more work than it's worth.

If you use Bigger, likely you would only have one child who you would be able to follow the manual as written, and would have to do a LOT of work to make it work for your oldest. And your youngest might get left behind.

However if you use two different programs (in your shoes I'd probably choose Preparing and Beyond) you wouldn't have to change much at all... It would be perfect as written for two of your children (the youngest of each set) and then just a little tweaking for the older ones, like their level of math.

In other words, you might find it's easier, more enjoyable for all, and less work for you to use two teacher's manuals than just to use one.

ETA: My older three would technically be every other year in school, and I cannot imagine combining all three of them, much less adding in my #4 (and your #4 would be in K this year if her birthday was 1 day later!)